The enormity of Kampala City problems won't simply wash away by impeaching Lukwago

[Tendo Kaluma]

Fellow Ugandans,

The enormity of the problems of Kampala won't simply wash away with the unjust impeachment of a duly elected mayor Eriasi Lukwago. I would have thought that the President would have put to better use his wise committee of impeachers - by tasking them to work on what has plagued city dwellers since he took office- A quick run down of issues sore to the naked eye tabulated in a few weeks visit; one leaves off worn out from combating the following:

        Hydro carbon fumes that attack the nostrils of inhabitants and commuters alike - part of the over hang from environmental neglect and degradation, resulting in a heavy smog that envelops the City; it is so bad it brings on thirst immediately among other respiratory ailments, It is as if you are being physically dragged through an exhaust tail pipe of a diesel truck-
        Someone clever in this regime removed an environmentally friendly regulation decreed by Idi Amin to have all trucks and cars fitted with catalytic converters .
        2) There is open sewerage visible - through large man holes that are ever uncovered throughout the city - and with every man made tributaries of sewage run off - which swirl, simmer and stagnate in the heat to add to the unhealthy stale air!
        3) Boda Bodas without driving boundaries -licensed folks who have no shame riding on the walkways and streets of the city with the same recklessness to endanger pedestrians, making the City one of the most dangerous places to work or walk in the entire country.

        4) The problems of waiters - folks simply hanging around the city waiting for something to happen - I believe Ugandans waste a good 4-6 hours of their day waiting for something to break! An economy of waiters - especially in the City where it is supposed to be bustling is indeed troubling and does not provide a good index of development to say the least!

        5)Dust hawkers and beggars -dilapidated buildings are an eye sore in the City - just as bad are kids - who are pushed from the rural areas purposely to come and live a subsistence life of begging - the First Lady has got to address the reason why many kids from the state that she is minister of are the ones on the streets of Kla begging for alms! We need engineers who can come in as consultants to help us get rid of the dust - that has become a menace in terms of health and aesthetics! Why can't we have concrete slabs to fix side walks and to - yes cover the menacing man holes

        6)Traffic and ordinance rules enforcement, will it be lights, a policeman or stop signs - should we preserve wetland or not - where are folks dumping toxic material from plastics, battery making and other polluting industries! let's make up our minds - and carry it out diligently throughout the city.

        7)The damn rent is too high in the city!

Tendo Kaluma

Ugandan in Boston

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 "To ask a dictator to implement democratic measures after 30 years in power is an oxymoron"